This beautiful verse reminds us to look to God’s incredible creation and understand that our fate is completely in his hands.

Psalm 1 – Blessed Are the Godly

This is undoubtedly the most famous Psalm, and for good reason. It provides deep comfort and security to those who have the Lord as their shepherd. The words beautifully express fatherly love and guidance. We experience endless joy and gratitude, blessed with goodness and mercy as we dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Truly inspiring stuff.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust Only the Lord, not Yourself.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

To fear God means recognizing who and what he is: the only living God, the creator of everything, the judge of our souls, whose wrath can destroy us, and who can save us through his loving mercy and grace. Because of this, we live in awe (fear, even paralysis, with overwhelming possibility), respect, reverence, and obedience to our Father, who has complete authority and power over all. That is what it means to fear the Lord.

If we fear and also love him for his mercy and grace, we are driven to obey his word, to try to live according to his will, and to act in a way that pleases him. God provides us with the strength to do these things and grants us the wisdom to live according to his plan.

The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ^{Proverbs 9:10}

Matthew 7:13-14 – Few Will Find the Way to Heaven

This, the best-known verse in the Bible, was a shocking statement to the Jews. “God so loved the Jews” is what they would expect to hear, but that is not what he said. God loves the world – all of us. Here is the meaning of these two verses:

he gave his only begotten Son – God gave what was most dear to him, his beloved Son, as the ultimate atonement for sin, as a gift to us, something not deserved. His love for the sinning world was not sentimentality but a love that bore a tremendous cost.

whosoever believeth in him – not the whole world benefits from the gift. Those who believe, trust, and obey; who give their lives to; who rely entirely upon his Son, Jesus, will reap the benefit of God’s grace (unmerited favor) to the unrighteous world.

should not perish, but have everlasting life – this speaks to the quality of our eternal existence. To “perish” does not mean annihilation but ruin, failure to realize God’s purpose, and exclusion from his fellowship. To perish is to endure the wrath of God, which is an eternity in the fire of Hell. “Everlasting life” is to avoid God’s wrath because Jesus paid for your sin by his sacrifice on the cross. Through faith in Jesus, you trade Hell for Heaven and experience an eternity of joy because you will be in a right standing with God. Jesus did not come to judge; instead, he provided us the opportunity to accept the gift of salvation. The judgment of the world comes later.

John 3:36 – The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

This is my favorite verse. It presents the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a single verse: Find Christ, and you will have eternal life; reject Christ, and you will endure God’s wrath.      

Romans 5:1-2 – Our Standing with God

being justified – to be declared righteous in the sight of God and reconciled to him.

by faith – justification occurs through the whole-hearted conviction and trust in the word of God. Faith is to believe the word of God and the resulting submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

we have peace with God – the state of hostility with God is over; we are now at peace with him.

into this grace wherein we stand – grace is the free, unmerited, and undeserving favor of God, the undeserved gift of forgiveness of our sins. Because of his grace, we stand in a favorable position with God to develop a personal relationship of reliance and obedience with him.

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God – hope is the conviction of certainty (not a wishful hope), and glory is the full manifestation of God. We will radiate the glory of God, his perfect, holy character; our sanctification will be complete, sin will be removed from our existence, and we will finally be complete. Our hope is looking to our future in Heaven.

Romans 6:23 – The Great Gift from God

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

No one on Earth meets God’s perfect standard of righteousness; therefore, everyone needs a Savior. Salvation is a gift from God to humanity, obtained through faith in Jesus, who gives eternal life.

Romans 8:18 – Our Suffering now is Nothing Compared to the Joy that is Coming

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The trials and struggles we face on earth are minor compared to our victory, validation, and joy when Christ and God’s Kingdom are revealed. We who suffer in faith will be glorified when the season of faith ends.

Romans 8:28 – God Works All Things for Our Good

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

God is sovereign, the ultimate authority, and we find great comfort in knowing that He is in control of our lives and that everything we encounter has passed through his hands. We rest confidently in the belief that God ultimately uses all things for our good, even if it doesn’t seem that way at the moment. He will use every event and circumstance—the good, the bad, and the terrible—to accomplish his will for those who belong to him. His purpose is to shape us to be more like his Son, and there is no better outcome we could hope for than to become more like Jesus Christ. Although we may not understand the why, how, or when of what God weaves together, we trust him because we are his possession, and He cares for us. This is the comfort enjoyed by the children of God. Those who have rejected Jesus are on their own, and not everything happens for their good.

Romans 12:1-2 – Live for God, Reject the World

Ephesians 2:8-9 – Salvation is by the Grace of God, Not by the Work of Man

Our salvation is a gift from God; the only thing we can do is accept it. We cannot earn salvation, so we are eternally grateful for this gift. We are saved to live in obedience and to do “good works,” but our good works do not save us. Any religion that says you must do good works to earn your way into heaven is telling you a lie.

It is common for man-made religious systems to claim that one must follow commands, rules, rituals, sacraments, pious living, baptism, repetitive chants, or make payments to earn salvation. The arrogance of attributing salvation to human effort is blasphemy to God; salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ. Underestimating the sufficiency of Jesus’s sacrifice for humanity would be very unwise.

Philippians 4:4-8 – Rejoice and be Anxious for Nothing

This is a wonderful verse of comfort:

Rejoice in the Lord – Be grateful and joyfully acknowledge the blessings that you have in Christ.

Let your gentle spirit be known – demonstrate gentleness, yielding, patience, self-control, tolerance, leniency, and generosity. The opposite of being contentious and self-seeking. Not spineless, but selfless.

The Lord is at hand – Christ’s return is imminent. I also believe this speaks to our closeness with God and to the fact that he is with us always.

Be anxious for nothing – anxiety is a natural, useless feeling. We worry about what might happen, and Satan uses it to take the joy out of our lives. God gives us the power to deal with anything, and the knowledge that all things are in his hands gives us comfort, and anxiety evaporates when we trust in him.

Let your requests be made known to God – Gratefully ask God for what you need. Take everything to the Lord. Pray about everything, worry about nothing.

The peace of God – This is peace from God, the removal of anxiety, and the tranquility that comes from being a beloved child of God. It is one of the most impactful benefits we experience as Christians. Salvation and a relationship with God are not only beneficial after this life but also provide a joyful and abundant life now.

Shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus – Guarding our affections and thoughts to stay in step with Christ helps us avoid the snares of Satan and the entanglements of sin. We are to focus on the good things.

• True – valid and reliable
• Honorable – worthy of respect
• Just – things that are correct, moral, and righteous
• Pure – clean and moral purity
• Lovely – amiable, agreeable, pleasing
• Good report – praiseworthy, measuring up to the highest standards
• Virtue – the character of moral excellence, righteousness
• Praise – worthy of worship and glorification. Praiseworthy

1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 – The Dead and Alive in Christ Will be Taken Out of the World

These verses describe the next event on God’s prophetic timetable. Those who have died in faith and those who are alive in faith will be suddenly caught up and taken out of this world. The dead will be resurrected, and together with the living, they will be snatched up to meet Jesus in the clouds. How wonderful it would be if he came now so we can avoid physical death and go straight to Heaven.

This marks the end of the church age; all those who abide in the word of God (his church) will be taken from the world. This event will mark the beginning of seven years of catastrophic judgment, during which God’s wrath will be poured out on the unbelieving world. The suffering inflicted on mankind will be beyond comprehension, unlike anything ever seen before. Also, know that no Bible prophecy needs to occur before the church’s rapture. It can happen at any moment. Please be prepared!

1st Peter 1:2-9 – Our Incredible Christian Reality

We are the “elect,” whom God knew before the beginning of time to be his. God planned our salvation; Jesus purchased our salvation, and the Holy Spirit applies our salvation – regenerating our spirits to make us alive. The “sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” signifies the new covenant, which embodies God’s forgiveness and our response through obedience.

We praise God because, by his grace and mercy, we are born again (our spirits renewed from death to life) with the unwavering hope of salvation, confirmed by the resurrection of Jesus. We look forward to the promise of an inheritance that will never diminish or fade away. This inheritance is ours because we are reconciled, justified, and adopted by God as his children. We are protected by his power so that the promise will be fulfilled, as Jesus will lose none of those the Father has given him. Our salvation is certain.

Trials test our faith in Jesus Christ during mortal life. We will suffer through trials for a time, and those who endure will be honored and glorified when Jesus returns to take us out of this world. We will escape the wrath of God and be received as his children for eternity in paradise. We, therefore, live with “joy unspeakable” because of our conviction of these things and confident hope in God’s promises.

1st Peter 5:6-11 – Christian Conduct and Reward

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God – to humble yourself is to be submissive and obedient to God. The scriptures are clear that God abhors arrogance and pride. His “mighty hand” is the righteous power and authority he wields.

that he may exalt you in due time – God will lift you up at the proper time, after you have been tested, according to his will.

casting all your care (anxiety) on him, because he careth for you – Give all your trouble in this world to God because he loves you, and all things work for the ultimate good for those who love him.

be sober, be vigilant – be calm, clear-minded, practice self-control, be focused on God, be alert to your surroundings and situation, and seek and follow the will of God.

your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour – know that Satan is at work to destroy you and all that you love – to devour you. He also wants to ruin your testimony. Satan cannot take away your salvation, which God has sealed, but he can wipe out your testimony and the good you can do for the Kingdom of God.

resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Resist Satan by being vigilant in your faith (abiding in the word of God) and in obedience to God. Do this, and Satan will flee from you. Take heart that all Christians experience the same suffering while here on earth.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.Our suffering here on earth is temporary, and the result of enduring suffering in reliance on God is:

• To Perfect – make us complete by maturing us, preparing us, equipping us
• To Establish – put us on a solid footing
• To Strengthen – we come out of trials stronger, being reliant on God, we can endure anything ^{Philippians 4:13}
• To Settle – to confirm, approve, and give us peace

1^st John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love the World.

The world system, ruled by Satan, holds nothing of real value but leads to death. The transformed, regenerated Christian abandons the things of the world for salvation from God’s wrath and the promise of eternal life. John calls out the fundamental temptations that ensnare souls in Satan’s traps: lust for improper physical satisfaction, coveting what you don’t have, and pride in what you think you have. You cannot love and pursue the world and also love and seek God at the same time.

Revelation 19:17-18 & 21 – God Prepares for Battle

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Herein are the coolest set of verses in the Bible. They speak to man’s incomprehensible arrogance and his swift fate. This is Armageddon, the great final battle of man and evil against Jesus Christ. God prepares for battle by calling the birds on earth to gather for the “supper of the great God,” where they will feast on the carcasses of the armies of mankind. The outcome is so obvious and certain that it is the insanity of humanity writ large.  I can imagine the panic in the ranks when the angel summons the birds, and the realization of imminent disaster sets in. Their discomfort will not last long as Jesus kills them instantaneously with his word. The end will be anticlimactic, and the fowls will be filled with their flesh.

Now faith is the substance (certainty) of things hoped for (the promises of God), the evidence (conviction) of things not seen. ^{Hebrews 11:1}

Faith defined.

Faith is confidence, trust, and conviction that something is true. Christian faith is believing the Word of God, which leads to submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Faith begins by hearing the good news; through it, we are justified and have peace with God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ^{Romans 10:17}

What is it that the Word of God tells us to believe?

When we hear the Word of God, we hear some incredible things. We are told that everyone is spiritually dead, unrighteous, an enemy of God, and headed for eternal damnation. We are told that God implanted himself in a teenage Jewish girl and was born as Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect, sinless life. We are told that God orchestrated an amazing plan to save humanity from Hell by the brutal murder of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was God incarnate, a member of the 3-person Godhead trinity, to atone for our sins through his crucifixion, and that he was then raised from the dead three days later. We are told that only those who believe this will enter Heaven, and those who do not believe will spend eternity in the agony of Hell.

Who would believe this?

This incredible message is delivered through preaching by mortal men, perhaps a sweaty evangelist in a $2,000 suit. We read scriptures written by a God we cannot see, hear, or touch, yet we are expected to accept them as true or face a punishment so terrible it is beyond comprehension. Who in their right mind would believe any of this? Our intellect, reason, and culture lead us to dismiss this as nonsense and move on with our lives. And that is precisely what most choose to do.

The Miracle.

Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him who he hath sent. ^{John 6:29}

But here is the miracle of faith: those who hear and believe the good news of Jesus Christ are drawn and empowered by God to do so. Faith is not something we can produce ourselves. It is God who gives us faith and brings our spirit to life. Salvation by faith is an unearned and undeserved gift of God’s grace and mercy, one we can choose to accept or reject by free will.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ^{John 6:44}

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ^{Ephesians 2:8}

The Substantiation of Our Faith

Through life’s trials and challenges, the guidance, comfort, and answered prayers we experience confirm, validate, and strengthen our faith, demonstrating that the object of our belief is real and that we are not running this race in vain.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ^{John 15:7-8}

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ^{James 5:16}

Recognizing God’s work in our lives is also a powerful confirmation of the validity of our faith. God moves to direct us and shape our circumstances, and his impact is clearly seen in our lives.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. ^{Philippians 2:13}

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ^{Proverbs 3:5-6}

Fools for Christ

Our faith is visceral, and the secular world sees Christians as naive, ignorant fools. But we know that when the time for faith has passed, we will be proven wise, and the worldly man will be revealed as the fool in his godless intellect. God takes great joy in saving humble, trusting souls who believe despite the world’s wisdom.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.^{1st Corinthians 1:18-21}

Man’s Unbelief is Natural

The origin of faith is God. The persistence of unbelief stems from free will, shaped by a hardened heart driven by worldly desires and a conscience seared by love of sin. Humanity’s default is not to believe the Word of God.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ^{1st Corinthians 2:14}

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ^{John 3:18}

Christian faith is the belief and conviction that what the Word of God says is true. Yet the Bible contains a wealth of information, often presented in ambiguous verses open to interpretation. This has produced both minor and major variations in dogma among Christians. Beliefs about baptism and communion, Reformed doctrine, eschatology, the doctrine of salvation, the papacy, liturgy, church governance, and many other matters have divided Christendom into numerous denominations and sects. Still, amid the confusion and noise of organized religion, there are core, essential beliefs that form the foundation of Christian truth. Presented below are the undisputed (mostly) foundational beliefs that unite all those who love Jesus.  

God the Father

There is only one living and true God. He is eternal, unchanging, all-powerful, sovereign, incomprehensible, merciful, loving, gracious, patient, truthful, faithful, wise, all-knowing, and ever-present. He embodies perfect righteousness, morality, and holiness, free from evil, error, or sin. God works all things according to his immutable and righteous will. He forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin, rewarding those who diligently seek him. At the same time, he is just and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin and ensuring that the guilty are appropriately punished.

God the Son, Jesus Christ

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  ^{Matthew 16:15-16}

Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of the living God,  God incarnate, and the Word (revelation) of God living among us. ^{John 1:14} He is our advocate in heaven, ^{1 John 2:1} and the light of the world. ^{John 8:12} Jesus is God, not a created being. He created all things ^{John 1:3} and all things were created for him. ^{Colossians 1:16} Jesus alone is the way to eternal life. ^{John 1:4} He is our only hope for salvation from the penalty of our sins and for eternal life in Heaven. ^{John 14:6}

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ^{1st Peter 1:3-5}

God the Holy Spirit

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. ^{John 14:16}

The Holy Spirit dwells within believers, guiding, comforting, informing, counseling, and disciplining them. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the “comforter” and said the Spirit would be with us forever.

Jesus the Redeemer

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. ^{John 1:29}

Jesus is the spotless Lamb, the ultimate sacrifice who redeems us from the penalty of our sins. He bore the punishment for the ungodly through his brutal death on the cross. Jesus is the Redeemer for all who call on his name; he will either be your Savior or your Judge.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. ^{1 Corinthians 15:17-20}

Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. This confirmed his divinity and his substitutionary atonement for our sins. Without the resurrection, Jesus would not have died for our sins but for his own. Christianity rests on the reality of the resurrection.

Nobody is Righteous Enough to Enter Heaven

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one ^{Romans 3:10}

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ^{Romans 3:23}

No one on earth is righteous enough to stand before God alone. Everyone is guilty in God’s eyes and faces condemnation; therefore, all people need a Savior, because no one can enter Heaven without the redemption offered by the blood of Jesus Christ. If you stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, you will live; if you stand before God relying on your own righteousness, you will perish.

 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^{Romans 6:23}

Judgement is Coming

Everyone will be held responsible for their actions, thoughts, and intentions during their mortal life. You can stand before God forgiven and as an heir to his kingdom, or as a soul who died with unforgiven sins.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. ^{Hebrews 9:27}

Salvation is by Faith in Jesus Christ Alone (sola fide) and by the Grace of God Alone (sola gratia)

For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works let any man should boast. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}

There is nothing a person can do to earn salvation; it is a gift from God. Good works during your life do not bring salvation; only faith in Jesus Christ does. We are saved by faith, not by good works. ^{Galatians 2:16} The only way to be saved is to understand that there is nothing you can do to be saved other than casting yourself on the mercy of God.

Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven (solus Christus)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ^{John 14:6}

There is only one way to heaven, and that is through faith and submission to Jesus Christ. The truth of exclusivity carries terrible consequences for most of humanity.

Our Inheritance in Heaven is Assured

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ^{1 Peter 1:3-5}

We rejoice that our salvation is certain and that our inheritance in the Kingdom of God will never diminish. It is by the power of the Almighty God that we persevere in the faith until our glorification is realized.

God is in Control

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ^{Romans 8:28} 

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. ^{Peter 5:10}

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. ^{Matthew 19:26}

Those in Christ are under the care of the creator and sustainer of all things. He controls every part of our lives except what we foolishly withhold from him. Nothing happens to his children without passing through his hands; nothing surprises him, and everything that occurs is for our ultimate good.

The Return of Jesus Christ.

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. ^{Hebrews 9:28}        

Jesus first came to Earth as a suffering servant. He did not come to judge but to save the world. For thousands of years since his departure, humanity has had the opportunity to turn to him and be saved from God’s inescapable wrath.

When Christ returns, He will not come as the humble servant who saves, but as the conquering king who brings God’s wrath upon the unrighteous world. This event will undoubtedly be the most dramatic and momentous in human history. 

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. ^{Revelation 19:11-16}

The Bible is the Only Authority on Faith, Doctrine, and Practice (sola scriptura)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ^{Romans 1:16}

The Holy Bible is God’s word, his revelation to us, and contains everything we need to know. It is the ultimate authority on all matters of faith. The traditions of organized religion, doctrines born of human imagination, and proclamations from mortal committees are meaningless. Only God’s word reveals the truth; nothing else needs to be considered. Our Catholic friends also add sacred tradition and the Magisterium as additional sources of authority, a key distinction between them and Protestants.

 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. ^{Revelation 22:18-19}